Drawbench



June 6, 1939- M. J. DEMPsl-:Yrr An.

DRAWBENCH Filed May 17, 1 5 sheets-Sheet 1 EL, Ow a, a n a um QS S 5J@ l5 Sheets-Sheet 2 M. J. DEMPSEY ET AL DRAWBENCH Filed May 17, 1938 lJune 6, 1939.

June 6, 1939- M. J. DEMPSEY Er Al. 2,161,023

DRAwENcH Filed May 17, 193s 5 sheets-sheet s 5 sheets-sheet 4 June 6, 1939. M, J, Dl-:MPsEY Er Al.

DRAWBENCH Filed May 17, 1958 June 6, 1939. M` J, DEMPSEY 5|- A| 2,161,023

DRAWBENCH Filed May 17, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 5' T0 Sal/RCE d FLUID PREJSl/E Patented .Ime 6, Y1939 UNITED STATES PATENT ori-ICE DRAWBENCH corporation Application May 17, 1938, Serial No. 208,340

15 Claims.

This invention relates to draw-benches for drawing tubes and especially to draw-benches of the type which includes a power-operated rod carrying a plug at its front end, which rod can be retracted to enable a. tube to be positioned on the bench, and which can be advanced into the tube to position the plugof the rod in the die-head of the bench, to cooperate with the die in the drawing of the tubes. More particularly, the

invention concerns improved arrangements of a traveling carriage for a draw-bench of the type indicated, which carriage, as one of its principal functions, provides support for the movable plugrod of the draw-bench.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide for the power-operated plug-rod of a drawbench, a supporting-carriage of novel construction and arrangement, which is caused to ride smoothly and evenly along a feed-table of the draw-bench; is guided and restrained to avoid lateral movement, side-sway and rocking movements; and is arranged to take up jars, shocks, or vibrations.

AAnother object of the invention is to provide a supporting-carriage for the purposes described, with separate operating-means, which, when a tube is placed on the feed-table of the drawbench, and the plug-rod is advanced into the tube, are operable to cause the carriage to move forwardly along the rod to `any place intermediate its rear-end portion and a point on the rod determined by the length of the tube to be drawn, selected by the operator, to p-rovide at the place selected, support for the rod, whereby sagging,

drooping, or lateral deflection of the plug-rod are avoided.

Another object of the present invention is the provision for a draw-bench, as described, of a carriage, which, by the operation of operatingmechanism individual to the carriage, can be moved to an initial selected position of support for the plug-rod of the bench, and which, as the tube is carried forwardly in the drawing operation, is caused, by its individual operating-mechanism, to follow the tube along the plug-rod, whereby, as the tube is drawn, and stress is transmitted' tothe plug at the front end of the rod, the support for the plug-rod isprogressively moved forwardly toward the plug-end, to support the rod against sagging and other deflection, and

whereby the carriage in its following movement is made available for the performance of other functions.

A further object of the invention is to provide operating-means individually associated with a traveling supporting-carriage, operable to cause the carriage to move forwardly along and in supporting relation to the plug-rod of a draw-bench as a tube is drawn, to limit the forward movement of the carriage when the carriage reaches a predetermined supporting position for the plugrod, whereby the carriagel is constrained from following the tube along the rod into a zone adjacent the plu'g, Where the carriage would not effectively serve to guard against sag or other l0 deiiection occurring in the section of the rod extending rearwardly of the carriage.

Still another object of the invention is to provide reversible operating-means individually associated with a carriage, as described, operable to cause the carriage to be moved in opposite directions, longitudinally along the feed-table oi the bench, and to limit the travel of the carriage in each direction, the greater portion of the travel of the carriage taking place along the rear-half 20 of the feed-table, whereby the carriage in its forward movement, supporting the plug-rod, is stopped at a point along the rod which is predetermined, to secure a full range of supporting positions for the carriage with respect to the 25 plug-rod, and whereby, the carriage in its return movement is retired to a position adjacent the rear end of the feedtable,`a1lowing,r theplug-rod to be returned to a position with its plug closely adjacent the carriage, at the rear end of the 30 feed-table, and make available substantially the entire length of the feed-table, to receive a tube length.

A still further object of the presentv invention is to provide a traveling-carriage for supporting 35 the plug-rod of a draw-bench, with reversible operating-mechanism, and to so arrange the operating-mechanism that the rate of movement of a drive-member is less than 1 to 1 with relation to the movement of the carriage, and that con- 40 nections between the drive-member and the carriage comprise motion-multiplying means, whereby the carriage is caused to travel, in opposite directions, along the major portion of the length of a feed-table of the draw-bench. 45

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved arrangement of hydraulically-controlled operating-means for the plug-rod of the draw-bench and for the supporting-carriage for the plug-rod, each of the operating-means com- 50 prising a cylinder having a piston, the piston of one cylinder being secured to the plug-rod, and the piston of the second cylinder being connected with the carriage for supporting the plugrod, and means separately operable for each cyl- 55 inder, to control the admission, from a single source, of water under pressure to each cylinder, and to control the discharge of water from each cylinder, alternately, at opposite ends of the cylinders, whereby a simplified arrangement and control of the separate operating-mechanism is secured.

'I'he invention also contemplates in an arrangement as last described, connections between the piston of one of the cylinders and the carriage for supporting the plug-rod, comprising multiplying mechanism, whereby the dimensions of the cylinder are substantially smaller, and the stroke of its piston is substantially less, than the dimensions of the cylinder and the stroke of the piston comprising part of the operating-means for the plug-rod, whereby a further simplification and a compact arrangement of the apparatus, is secured, and costs are substantially reduced.

With the above and other objects in view, as will appear to those skilled in the art from the present disclosure, this invention includes all features in the said disclosure which are novel over the prior art.

In the accompanying drawings, in which certain modes of carrying out the present invention are shown for illustrative purposes:

Fig.v 1 is a plan view of a general assembly of the rear end of a draw-bench;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the apparatus illustrated 4 in Fig. l, and showing in section a portion of a tube which is being drawn, and the carriagefor supporting the plug-rod arranged adjacent the rear end of the tube;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1,l

Fig. 4 is a side View of the carriage showing the same connected to opposite ends of a driving sprocket-chain;

Fig. 5 is a broken view in side elevation showing the preferred operating-mechanism for separately operating the carriage which supports the plug-rod;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 6--6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a vertical, longitudinal, sectional View of the hydraulically-operated piston, showing it connected to a rack-bar for driving gearing to separately operate the carriage;

Fig. 8 is a vertical, longitudinal, sectional view through the head and forward end of the cylinder of the plug-rod, showing a piston secured to the rear end of the plug-rod; and

Fig. 9 is a schematic view, showing the separately-operable valve-means for controlling the admission of Water under pressure, from a single source to each cylinder, and for discharging water from each cylinder, alternately, at the opposite ends of the cylinders.

Before describing the arrangements shown in -the drawings, it may be observed, that drawbenches requiring a power-operated rod, carrying a plug at its front end for cooperating with the die of the draw-bench, are comparatively long.

The power-operated rod must be advanced from a position at the rear end of a feed-table of the bench, into a tube, and take up a position with its plug in the die-head. .The plug must be initially centered in the die-head and it must remain centered in the die-head throughout the drawing operation.

When the plug is being moved to its forward position, it is a cantilever rod, and as it advances,

unless it is supported intermediate its ends, the

weight of the rod and its plug is likely to cause the rod to undesirablydroop or sag.

Again, when the rod is in place, with its plug in the die-head, unless other means are provided, it is supported only at its piston and plug ends. Under such conditions, the rod may sag intermediate its ends, and the position of the plug in the die-head, or the operation of its piston in the cylinder, or vboth may be affected.

With demand for seamless tubing of longer length, draw-benches and plug-rods for the benches have been lengthened, and there has been a corresponding increase' in the difiiculties attending the necessity of providing adequate support for the plug-rods.

While it is intended to be in no way restrictive with regard to any and all of the novel features of the arrangements here shown and hereinafter to be described, it may be, that the supplementing of the description, from time to time, with approximate dimensions of draw-benches, in which the novel features of the disclosure are particularly useful, will assist those skilled in the art in their appreciation of the diiculties found in prior practice and of the manner in which such diliculties are substantially eliminated by the arrangements now -about to be described.

Inthe embodiment of the invention illustrated, I -there is shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the rear end extension of a draw-bench, which, in a number of its particulars, is of conventional structural arrangement.

Generally, the bench comprises supportingstructure I0, a die-head I I secured to the supporting-structure I0 and provided with a removable ring-like draw-die I2, and a vertically-adjustable feed-table I3 between side-frames I5 of the supporting-structure I0 of the bench.

Secured to and forming part of the feed-table I 3, are parallel pads Iii-I6 which extend longitudinally throughout a substantial portion of the table. The pads are preferably formed of wood and are provided with sloping converging surfaces at I'I (Fig. 3) on which a tube to be drawn, may rest.

In the arrangement shown, the draw-bench is provided with va power-operated plug-rod I8, which at its front end has removably secured to it, as by bolt and nut I9, a draw-plug 20.

The outer periphery of the draw-plug 20 cooperates with the inner periphery of the drawdie I2 in the drawing of tubes in accordance with usual practice. As shown in Fig. 2, when a tube is being drawn, the draw-plug 20 is centered in the draw-die I2. The draw-plug 20 determines the inner diameter of the tube, the draw-die I2 determines the outer diameter of the tube, and the distance between the said draw-plug and the said draw-die establishes the wall thickness of the tube.

In the embodiment of the present invention herein illustrated, the power-operated plug-rod I8 is hydraulically movable axially in opposite directions. As shown particularly well in Fig. 8, the rear end of the plug-rod I8 is received in a cylinder-head 2| which throughout the major portion of its length is externally-threaded and which is rigidly secured to the front end of a cylinder-structure, generally designated by the reference character 22. The threaded portion of the said cylinder-head has threaded engagement with a rotary adjusting-nut 2Ia which in turn is Supported with capacity for rotary movement in a bracket 2| b. The said bracket 2| b is rigidly cuencas 25--25 are subjected to compressive force to similarly compress the packing-rings a by means of a cap 26 throughwhich studs'21 pass from the cylinder-head 2|. Suitable nuts 21a are threadedonto the studs 21, as shown in the drawings.

As shown, the inside diameter of the cylinderhead 2| is less than the inside diameter of' the cylinder-structure 22 and the rear face provides a stop to limit the forward movement of the plston and hence also limit the forward movement of the plug-rod |8 and its draw-plug 2U. The piston 23 carries oppositely-arranged U-shaped packing-rings 29 and 30, which, when subjected to the pressure of water admitted to the cylinderstructure 22, serve to guard against leakage of such water past the piston in either direction.

vThe cylinder-structure 22 comprises a number of tubes or cylinder-sections 22a, suitably secured together in end-to-end relationship and having end-flanges 22h. The end-flange 22h at the front end `of the front tube 22a, is secured to the rear end of the cylinder-head 2|, as shown, and the end-flange 22h at the rear end of the rear tube 22a is communicably connected with a bonnet or hood 3|. One or more of the intermediate tubes 22a of cylinder-structure 22 extend through and are supported in split bearing-blocks, such as the split bearing-block 32 shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The cylinder-head 2| is mounted on the supporting-structure Il, and the bonnet '3| and the bearing-block 32 are carried on pillars 33-33, respectively, to support the cylinder-structure 22 above the oor. i

As shown in Fig. 2, piping 34 leads into the cylinder-head 2| and piping 35 leads into the bonnet 3| of the cylinder-structure 22. The piping 34 and 35 are arranged to alternately serve, as will be described, to admit water under pressure to the cylinder-structure 22, and to discharge Water from the cylinder. During one operation,

Water under pressure admitted to the forward end v the piston forward and cause the plug-rod |8 to be advanced. Whenthe water under pressure is supplied through piping 34, or alternately through piping 35, the water is discharged from cylinderstructure 22, by way of the pipe 35, or the pipe 34, respectively.

It is common in the art to provide draw-benches in which the feed-table, such as the feed-table I3,V extends well over 25 feet. The cylinder-structure for a draw-bench of this character extends rearwardly loir the feed-table, approximately the same distance. And for this apparatus there is provided a plug-rod, such as the plug-rod I8, which in its advanced position has its rear end positioned in the cylinder-head at .the front end of the cylinder-structure, and extending from the head of the cylinder-structure over the entire length of the feed-table and into the die-head at the front of the feed-table. Accordingly, the plug-rod, ln the example given, is some several feet longer than the 25 feet or more length of the feed-table of the draw-bench.

Again, on a .draw-bench such as that used for purposes of illustration, tubes are often drawn which are 12 inches or more in diameter. In such operations, the plug, such as the plug 2|), secured to the tip of the plug-rod I8, is of a diameter corresponding to the desired internal diameter of the tube and the plug-rod is much smaller in diameter than either.

When it is considered that the plug-rod, for instance a plug-rod some 5 or 6 inches in diameter .and carrying at its tip a heavy plug, which may be a foot or more in diameter, must be moved and extend over a distance of some 25 feet,before its draw-plug is positionedrto cooperate with the draw-die in drawing a tube engaged therebetween; and that the plug-rod must remain inA its extended position throughout the drawing operation, duringv which time it is submittedto severe stresses, the likelihood of sagging or other vdeflections accuring along the length of the rod become at once apparent. And it will be realized that in preventing undesired behavior of the plugrod of the nature referred to, and the objectionable eiects of such behavior, there is involved a unique problem of support for the plug-rod.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a separately-driven traveling carriage for the draw-bench, the particularfunction of the carriage being to cooperate with and provide support for the plug-rod of a draw-bench as a tube is being drawn on the bench, and also to discharge other functions as will hereinafter appear.

The carriage designated as a Whole by the numeral 3B, comprises a frame 31. The said frame 31 is hollow at places where resistance to substantial stresses is not required. In this manner there is provided a carriage which is of light weight for easy movement along the feed-table, and which is ofl suiiicient strength to provide proper support for thel plug-rod I8.

The central-portion of the frame 31 is formed to dene at 38, a U-shape passage therethrough. The arcuate lower portion of the frame is positioned above the space between the parallel pads I6 and above the converging surfaces I1 of the said pads. n

At the bottom of the U-shape passage at 38, there is provided an arcuate liner 39 having an arcuate bearing-surface 39a on which the plugrod I8 rests. Within the passage 38 and above the liner 39 is located a vertically-adjustable bearing-block 40 formed with a semi-circular inner bearing-surface 40a. v

The power-operated plug-rod I8 passes through the U-shape passage at 38, between the arcuate liner 39, and the inner surface 40a of bearingblock 40, and is circumferentially engaged 4and axially movable therebetween.

As shown, bearing-block 40 is yieldingly mounted in the U-shape passage at 38, in the frame 31. The upper side-wall portions of the said passage are defined by a neck 4|, which extends upwardly from the body of the frame 31, and a cap 42 is secured to the said neck, as by bolts 42a, the shanks of which pass through the cap 42 and are threaded into the necks 4I .of the frame. The cap 42 is provided with a central threaded passage surrounded by a threaded boss 43a on the upper face of the cap 42. An adjusting-screw 44 is threaded through the threaded'passage in the cap 42 and into the U-shape passage 33.- At

its upper end, adjusting-screw M carries an operating. hand-wheel 45, and the unthreaded lower end "of the said adjusting-screw 44 is tted in a socket in a'circular Vspring-seat 46. `The said .spring-seat 46 is seated against the upper end of acompression-spring 41,' the lower end of which is seated in a recess 48' provided in the upper face of the bearing-block 40.

.ment axially along the plug-rod I8. The carriage' 36, as described carries means in the form of bearing-block 43 and the arcuate ,linerv 3,9 for holding the plug-rod against lateral deiiectiom and theyielding mounting referred tov for `the said bearing-block, and comprising the said compression-spring, serves to absorb jars, shocks and vibrations incident to the operation of appa-w ratus of the character shown.

As is shown particularlywell in Fig. 3, the frame 31 is provided at each side with laterallyprojecting arms 50-50, each of which is formed with an inverted U-shaped recess or notch 5I. In the U-shaped recess 5I of each of the arms 50, there are arranged two wheels 52-52 respective- 1y located at the front and rear of the carriage 36. Each Wheel 52 is mounted for rotation upon one of four stationary axles 53, each of which passes through the hubbed center of a given wheel 52 and into the respective opposite walls of the particular inverted U-shaped recess 5I in which the particular wheel 52 is located. In the form illustrated, the outerend of each axle 53 is cut away about half of its diameter to provide a stabilizing-notch 5B. Mounted on each of the respective opposite sides of the arms 50 of the frame 31 is a retaining-bar 51-51, each of which extends between the stabilizing-notches of theA two axles 53 on the-side of the said frame on which the particular retaining-bar is located. The said retaining-bars are'retained in place by screws 58 and by virtue of fitting' into the stabilizing-notches 53, as above described, each of the said bars serves not only to hold the axles 53v against rotation, but serves to retain the same in place against axial displacement.

Mounted upon each of the side-frames I5 of the supporting-structure I are rails 59-59 preferably formed of vtough steel or-other wear-resisting material and upon which roll the wheels 52-52, before referred to. Preferably and as shown, the inner upper corner of each of the said rails 59 is formed with a bevel 59a.

As shown inthe drawings, the frame 31 is formed on each of its respective opposite sides with guide-iianges 60-60, which are spaced from each other a distance sufficient to project downwardly between the respective side-frames I I 5, as is shown particularly well in Fig. 3. In this manner, the guide-flanges Gli- 60 serve to guide the carriage 36 for movement longitudinally of the draw-bench structure and serve to prevent the lateral displacement of the said carriage and the horizontal twisting thereof with respect to the said side-frames. y

Each of the side-frames I5 is formed with a longitudinally-extending and downwardly-facing notch 62, as is shown particularly well in Fig. 3. Adapated to ride longitudinally in the said notches 62--62 are retaining-plates 63-63 respectively lboitedmr otherwise securedv to the underface of the guIde-ilanges lli-30 depending from the carnage-frame 31. The cooperation of the retainingplates- 33-33 with the' longitudinal lnotches 32-.82 in the said frames I5-Il serves 'to hold the carriage 38 against upward displacement such, for instance, as that which might he caused by the upward whipor iiexure of the plug-rod I3. Ateach' of its respective opposite ends, each of the retaining-plates 63 is formed with a threaded bore 65, each of' which has threaded into it a stud 36 locked in place by means ofa lock-nut 31.

' as isshown in Fig. 4. The said stud 36 provides A means, as willbe later described', for the vattachment of suitable sprocket-chains whereby the carriage 38 may be caused to travel longitudinally -with respect to the feed-table I3 and the plug- In the preferred arrangement, a sprocket and chain drive is provided for shifting the carriage 35, as will presently be described. As shown (Fig. 2), the rear end of supporting-,structure I0 has a base-plate and rearwardly-extending bearing-supports 1I--1I, one at each sideof supporting-structure I0 (see Fig. 6). Extending bel tween and journaled in bearing-supports 1|, is a rotatable shaft 12 to which are rigidly secured two corresponding sprocket-wheels 13-13. The sprocket-wheels 13 are mounted on the said shaft between bearing-supports] I, one sprocket-wheel 13being arranged adjacent each of the said bearing-supports.

Passing about and engaged by the teeth of each sprocket-wheel 13`13 respectively is a sprocketchain -15. The end link 16-15 of each end of each chain 15 is pinned or otherwise secured to one of the aforesaid studs 6G, one of which is threaded onto each ofthe respective opposite ends of each retaining-plate 63 of the carriage 36.

The upper reach of each chain 15 extends from its connection to carriage 36 rearwardly alongside of the feed-table I3, and between the same and the side-frames I5 of the supporting-structure I 0'.- through openings provided in the rear supporting-structure I0, and onto and about the particular sprocket-wheel 13 with which the chain is associated.

The opposite end of the upper reach of cach chain 15 extends from its connection to carriage '36, forward to and about the adjacent one of two sprocket-wheels 8I`8I located near the forward end of the side-frames I5. The sprocketwheels 8I-8I are mounted on and at opposite ends of a shaft 82, which extends transversely under feed-table I3, and turns in bearings provided in the side-frames I5. From the sprocketwheels 8l, the lower reach of each chain 15 passes rearwardly at opposite sides of the said table and between the side-frames I5 of the supporting-structure I0. Adjacent the rear end of the .feed-table I3, the lower reach of each chain passes over idler sprocket-wheels 83. The idler sprocket-wheels 83-83 are mounted on opposite ends of a shaft 83 which is arranged transversely of the structure below the feed-table I3 and turning in bearing-brackets 84a depending from the side-frames I5-I5. The lower reaches of the chains 15-15 continue rearwardly from the said idler-sprockets 83-83 through suitable openings in the rear of the supporting-structure I0 and thence onto and about the sprocketwheels 13-13 respectively.

As will be laterdescribed, while a tube is being drawn and the plug-rod I8 and its plug 20 remain stationary, vthe sprocket-wheels 13--13 may be driven in either direction. When the said sprocket-wheels 13--13 are turned in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, the lower reaches of the chains 15-15 are drawn rearwardly and the forward ends of their upper reaches are pulled forwardly, to thus cause the carriage 36 to lmove forwardly while the latter still maintains its supporting relationship to the plug-rod |8. l

The means for turning the sprocket-wheels 13-13 in opposite directions to effect the similar movement of the carriage 36 will now be described.

Mounted upon the said plate 10, before referred to, is a hydraulic operating-structure, generally designated by the reference character 85, and comprising a cylinder 86, flanged at each of its respective opposite ends and secured by bolts 81 orv the like to a cylinder-head 88 which is rigidly attached to the bed-plate 10 in any suitable manner.

Secured to the cylinder 86 at the end thereof opposite the cylinder-head 88 is a second cylinder-head 89 secured to the adjacent flange of the said cylinder by bolts 90, as is illustrated in Fig. 7. Intermediate its cylinderhead 88 and its cylinder-head 89, the cylinder 86 is supported in a rigid block-like support 9|.

The cylinder 86 has interposed between it and the cylinder-head 88 suitable packing material 92 to guard against the leakage of fluid between the said parts, in asimilar manner, there is interposed between the opposite ends of the cylinder 86 and the cylinder-head 89 a packing-ring 93 which also serves to guard against the leakage of fluid. Arranged for reciprocal movement in the cylinder 86 is a piston, generally designated by the reference character 94, which is rigidly attached to the reduced forward end 95 of a piston-rod 96 which extends through the cylinderhead 88 and is supported in the latter by an apertured cap 91 having a flange 98 projecting into an annular packing-recess 99 in the said cylinder-head 88, so as to compress suitable packing-rings |00 therein, to guard against the leakage of fluid from the hydraulic operating-structure 85.

The piston 94, before referred to, which is mounted upon the reduced forward end of the piston-rod 96 includes a ring-like body-member |0|, a clamping-ring |02, and a spacing-ring |03. To guard against leakage between the bodymember 94 and the reduced end 95 of the piston 96, a packing-ring |04 is interposed between the forwardly-facing shoulder |05, formed at Athe junction of the piston-rod 96 proper and its reduced portion 95, and a rearwardly-facing shoulder formed on the body-member |0|. Located on each of the respective opposite sides of the spacing-ring |03 of the piston 94 are packingrings IUS-|06 which are formed of suitable exible packing material of U-shaped form lin crosssection As shown in Fig. 8, the packing-rings IDG-|06 are faced in opposite directions, so that the leakage of uid past the piston 94 in either direction is veffectively guarded against. The body-member |0|, clamping-ring |02 and the parts carried by the said body-member are retained in place by a retaining-nut |01 which is threaded onto the externally-threaded forward end of the reduced portion 95 of the piston-rod 96, before referred to.

For the purpose of alternately admitting water or other fluid into the rear end of the cylinderstructure 85 and permitting the outfiow of such fluid therefrom, the cylinder-head 88 is provided with a fluid-passage |08 with which piping v|09 is in communication. For the same purpose, with respect to the opposite end of the hydraulic operating-structure 85, the cylinder-head 89 is formed with a fluid-passage I0 with which the adjacent end of a pipe-line is in communication. The said pipe-lines |09 and are.connected to suitable control-valves, as will hereinafter appear.

As above described, the pipe-lines |09 and are in communication with the respective opposite ends of the hydraulic operating-structure 85, to serve alternately as inletand outlet-pipes. vBy this arrangement (Fig. '1) water under pressure may be admitted to the forward end of the cylinder 86 to act on the front face of the piston 94 and force the piston rearwardly. Alternately, Water under pressure admitted to the rear end of the cylinder will act on .the rear face of the piston 94 to move the same forwardly, When water under pressure is supplied through the piping |09, or, alternately, through'piping I, the water is discharged from the hydraulic operating-structure 85, by Way of the pipe or the pipe, |09, respectively. v

In accordance with the present invention, means are provided for transmitting the movements of the, piston or drive-member 94 to cause the shaft 12 and sprocket-wheels 13 to rotate in opposite directions, as may be desired, and it ls a feature of the invention, that the transnuttingmeans include motion-multiplying mechanism.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, there is welded or otherwise permanently secured to the rear end of 4piston-rod 96 a rackbar I3, which is arranged for guided travel in opposite directions over the base-plate 10. Between bearing-standards'||4-||4 (Fig. 6) carried on the base-plate 10 at one side thereof, there is arranged a channeled guide-block and the rack-bar ||3 reciprocatesin the channel of the said block ||5. Each bearing-standard ||4 at its upper end is formed to provide a bearingcollar 6 for the adjacent end of a stub-shaft ||1.

Mounted fast on the stub-shaft ||1, between the bearing-standards 4, is a pinion ||8 and a gear 9. The pinion is mounted on the shaft ||1 above the channel in the guide-block 5, in which the rack-bar ||3 moves, at a distance providing for the proper meshing of the teeth of rack-bar ||3 with the teeth of pinion |8.-

The shaft 12, carrying the sprocket-wheels 13-13, is arranged above the stub-shaft ||1. One end of shaft 12, extends beyond one of its bearing-supports 1| and mounted fast on this end of the shaft, directly above the gear ||9, is a pinion |20 meshing into the said gear t.

As will be clear, the movements transmitted by the gear ||9 will be multiplied at the pinion |20, causing the pinion to rotate the shaft 12 and the sprocket-wheels 13 at a faster rate than the rate of rotation of the shaft 1. At the sprocket-wheels 13-13 another multiplication of movement occurs and is delivered to the chains 15, which, in turn, reciprocate the carriage v36 along the rails 59--59. f

There are several advantages associated with the above-described arrangements. 'Ihe rectilinear movement of the drive-member or piston 94 is translated into rotative movement, the rotative movement is multiplied and is again translated into multiplied rectilinear movement of the carriage 36. This makes for simplification of the ety a small cylinder and a piston having a com-A paratively short stroke. For operating a carriage a distance of some 18 feet or more, as required for a draw-bench 'of the type here taken as an example, the stroke need be no more than a few feet, and the cylinder need be of but slightlygreater length. A simple and compact arrangement isthus secured which is economical in cost and operation, and which economizes space.

It will also be noted, that, in the arrangement shown, the train of gearing-mechanism is completely assembled at the rear of feed-table I3 and between the floor and the cylinder 22 for plug-rod l 8, thus utilizing space which, ordinarily, would be wasted.

When plug-rod |8 has been advanced to position, its plug 20 in a tube and in the draw-die i2 and the carriage 36 has been separately driven forward into position to support the said plug-rod intermediate its respective opposite ends, it is desirable under some circumstances, as the tube is being drawn and plug-rod I8 is subjected to strain at its plug-end, that the supporting-carriage 36be caused to progressively Vmove to support the plug-rod I8 at any desired point. It is also desirable that the forward supporting movement of carriage 36 be stopped at a place with reference to the plug-rod |8 at a predetermined distance rearwardly of plug 20 where it will provide adequate support for the said plug-rod. In this manner, as the drawing of a tube proceeds. advantage is taken of the forward movement of the tube, to advance the support for plug-rod |8 closer to the plug end of the said plug-rod, and to arrest the forward movement at a place where proper support will continue to be provided for the portion of plug-rod I8 extending behind carriage 36.

The arrangement also provides that normally the major portion of the travel of carriage 36 occurs along the rear half of feed-table I3. The carriage 36 in its return movement is caused to travel along substantially all of the rear half of feed-table I3 and is brought to rest closely adjacent the forward face of the cylinder-head 2|,

where it will not interfere with plug 20 upon the return movement of plug-rod |8 which then can be returned to a position with its plug 20 closely adjacent the front face of the carriage 36. In this manner, substantially the full length of feedtable I3 is made available to receive a tube.

Another desirable feature of the arrangements here shown and described, is to provide hydraulically-operating driving-mechanism for the plugrod I8; hydraulically-operated driving-mechanism for separately operating carriage 36 to support the said plug-rod; and a simple unitary control for the operation of the respective drivemechanisms.

In Fig. 9 is shown schematically valve-control means, generally designated by the reference characters |2| and 22, respectively designed for controlling the flow of iluid into and out of the cylinder-structure and the operating-structure v22 and 85 respectively. The control-valve |2| comprises a body |23 housing a rotary disk |24,

which latter is formed in its periphery with two aromas |2| is also formed with two diametrically-opposite iiuid-ports |29 and |30 arranged at a right angle to the ports |21 and |28, before referred to. When the rotary disk |24 is turned into the posi'- tion in which it is shown in Fig. 9, its port-connecting channel |25 serves to interconnect the inlet-port .|21 with the port |29, and the portconnecting channel |26 4serves to interconnect the port |30 with the outletor drain-port |28.

When the operating-handle |24a of the rotary disk |24 of the control-valve means |2| is turned into the position in which it is shown by broken lines in Fig. 9, its port-connecting channel |25 will be moved into position to connect the port |29 with the drain-port |28 and the port-connecting channel |26 will be moved into position to connect the inlet-port |21 with the port |30. When the operating-handle |24a is moved into a position intermediate the two positions respectively indicated by the full and broken lines, its port-connecting channels |25 and |26 will be in such position as not to interconnect any two of the ports of the control-valve means |2|.

The control-valvel means |22 also includes a body |3| housing a rotary disk |32 which has rigidly secured to it an operating-handle |32a by means of which the said disk may be turned within the housing |3I. The disk |32 is formed in its periphery with two diametrically-opposite arcuate port-connecting channels |33 and |34, as is clearly shown in Fig. 9. When the handle |32a of the disk |32 is in the position in which it is indicated by full lines in Fig. 9, it may be considered to be in its inoperative or non-functioning position. When, however, the operatinghandle |3211 is moved into the position in which it is indicated by the broken lines A in Fig. 9, the port-connecting channel |33 of the disk |32 will be brought into position to interconnect an inlet-port |35 and a lateral port |36 to which the pipe |09, before referred to, is connected. When the parts are in this position, the port-connecting channel |34 will be in position to interconnect a lateral port |31 with a drain-port |38. When, however, the operating-handle |32a of the rotary disk |32 is turned into the position indicated by broken lines B, the said disk |32 will be moved into such position that its port-connecting channel |33 will interconnect the ports |36 and |38 and the port-connecting channel |34 will interconnect the ports |35 and |31.

Leading from a source of hydraulic pressure, such, forinstance, as a hydraulic accumulator (not shown), is a supply-pipe |39 having two branches |40 and |4| respectively leading to the ports |21 and |35 in the control-valve means |2| and |22 respectively. A drain-pipe |42 is also employed which has two branches |43 and |44 respectively leading from the drain-ports |28 and |38 of the control-valve means |2| and |22 respectively.

The piping system 34 which is connected to the cylinder-head 2| of the hydraulic cylinder-structure 22 is also connected to the port |30 of the control-valve means |2I. Similarly, the pipingsystem 35 which is connected to the bonnet 3| of the hydraulic cylinder-structure 22 is also connected to the port |29 of the control-valve structure |2|.

The piping-system |09 which is connected to the cylinder-head 88 of the hydraulic cylinder- `the ycylinder-structure 85 and the drainage 'of fluid therefrom is placed under the control of the said .control-valve means |22.

When it is desired to draw a tube, such, for instance, as the tubel |45, shown in Fig. 2, the carriage 36 and the plug-rod I8, if not already in such position, are fully retired to the rear of the apparatus which, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, would be to the left, until the carriage 36 stands immediately in front; of the cylinder-head 2| and the draw-plug 20 is immediately in front of or to the right of the said carriage 36.

The retiring movement of the plug-rod-I8 and the parts carried thereby maybe effected by turning the handle |24a of the control-valve means |2I into the positionindicated by broken lines in Fig. 9 to thus cause the port-conne cting. channel |26 to interconnect the inlet-port I 21- with the lateral port |30 and simultaneously cause the port-connectingchannel |25 to interconnect the lateral port |29 with the drain-port |28. Under such conditions, water on other fluid under pressure will pass-from the supplypipe I 39 through the piping-system 34 and into the cylinder-structure 22 at a point forwardly of the piston 23, which latter will be moved rearwardly and such fluid as may be located in the cylinders to the rear of the said piston 23 will be forced outwardly through the piping-system 35, thence through the channel |25 of the controlvalve means |2 I, to the drain-pipe |42.'

To effect the rearward movement of the carriage 36, the operating-handle |32a will be moved into the'position B indicated inFig. 9, to thereby cause thev port-connecting channel |34 of the control-valve means |22 to interconnect the inletport |35 with the lateral port |31, and simultaneously cause the port-connecting channel |33 to interconnect the lateral port |36 with the outlet-port |38.

Under the conditions just described, fluid Iunder pressure will pass from the supply-pipe |39 through the features |35, |34 and |31 of the control-valve means |22, to the piping-system and thence into the forward endof the hydraulic cylinder-structure 85 at 4a point forwardly of the piston 94 therein. Said piston, together with the piston-rod 96 and rack ||3, will be moved rearwardly by the fluid pressure referred to and such water as may belocated in the cylinder 86 to the rear of the piston 94, will be ejected through the port |08 and piping-system |09, thence through the features |36, |33 and |38 of the control-valve means |22, to the drain-pipe |42.

With the carriage 36 and the plug-rod I8 fully retired in the manner above described, al tube to be drawn such as |45 may be placed upon the parallel pads |6-I6 after having first been provided with a reduced portion |46 which is commonly referred to as the point of the tube and which is a common expedient in the art.

prevent the pulling out of the draw-headl or After thetube |45 is placed upon ,the longitudinal pads |6|6 and forwardly of the carriage 36, the said tube may bepushedforwardly to projectits point |46 through the draw-die I2 by manipulating the handle |24a of the control- Valve means I2I to admit water to the rear end of the cylinder-structure 22and to permit the Vescape of water from the forward portion thereof, to thus move the plug-rod |8 forwardly, and,

the plug 20 thereof may frictionally engage the interior of the tube adjacent the point |46 thereof and cause the tube to be moved forwardly.

I2, the forward nipulating the handle |32a of the control-valve means |22 so as to admit water under pressure into the rear end of the hydraulic 'cylinderstructure'85 and permit the escapev ofwater from the forward end thereof.

As before indicated, the draw-head vor drawhook |41 is connected with suitable powermeans (not shown) which will pull forwardly on the said tube |45 to draw the same between the outer periphery of the draw-plug 20 and the inner periphery of the draw-die I2. f

Under some conditions and pr'ior to reaching 4its fully forward position within the draw-die I2, the draw-plug 20 will be required to force its way into the rear end and longitudinally through the tube |45 to expand the tube before the same is drawn as before described. Under theseconditions, great deflecting strains are imposed upon the plug-rod 8 which, however, are effectively resisted by the carriage 36 which may be shifted back and forth with reference to the said plugrod to the most advantageous position for resisting the deflections referred to.y

Thus, by providing the power-operative carriage- 36 not only may the plug-rod I8 or its equivalent be held against harmful deflection, but the said carriage may beutilized to assist in the drawing of a tube by thrusting against the rear end thereof at the same time that the draw-hook |4`| is being-pulled forwardly.

The movement of the plug-rod I8 in either direction may behalted at any desired position by swinging the operating-handle |24a of the control-Valve means I2I so that the same stands vertically, in which case. the disk |24 will be so turned that neither one of 'its port-connecting channels |25 or |26 will interconnect any two of the ports |21, |28, |28 or |30. In a similar manner, the movement of the piston 94 within the cylinder-structure may be halted at any desired position of adjustment to similarly halt the carriage 36 by moving the disk |32 of the control-valve means |22 into the position inwhich it is indicated in Fig. 9.

After the tube has been .drawn completely throughthe draw-die I2, the draw-plug 20 may be retired by turning the operating-handle |24a of the control-valve means |2I into the position in which it is shown in broken lines in Fig. 9, to thereby admit fluid under pressure to the forward end of the cylinder-structure 22 and to provide a free path for the egress of fluid located to the rearv of the piston 23 therein. The carriage 36 must, of course, be retired rearwardly either as or prior to the rearward movement vlili of the draw-plug 20, as just described. The

rearward movement of the carriage 36 may be eected by shifting the operating-handle |32a of the control-valve means |22 into the positionV B as shown in Fig. 9. The shifting of the handle |32a, as just described, will move the disk |32, so that the channel |34 thereof will interconnect the ports |35 and |31 and similarly the other cycle of operation, to effect the drawing p of another tube.

The invention may be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth Without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention, and the present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.v

We claim:

l. A draw-bench structure including in combination: a frame-structure carrying a die-head at one end thereof and provided with a carriage guide-way extending substantially throughout the length of the frame-structure; a reciprocating plug-rod movable axially in a direction parallel with the guide-way of the said framestructure; means for axially moving the said plug-rod in opposite directions over substantially the entire length of the said guide-way; a plugrod-supporting carriage supported on and movable along the major portion of the length of the guide-way of the said frame-structure, the said carriage being dimensioned to extend along a relatively-short portion of the said plug-rod and being provided with guide-means through which the said plug-rod extends and which engage with the said plug-rod for supporting the same against transverse deflections; and reversible power-driven operating-means connected to the said carriage and operable to move the same along the said major portion of the guide-Way of the said frame-structure to support the plugrod by the engagement in they said carriage of any of several relatively-short portions thereof aggregating the length of the plug-rod extendingover the said major portion of the guide- Way traveled by the carriage.

2. A draw-bench structure including in combination: a frame-structure carrying a die-head at one end thereof and provided with a carriage guide-way extending substantially throughout the frame-structure a reciprocable plug-rod movable axially and parallel to the guide-way of the said frame-structure; means for axially moving the said plug-rod in opposite directions over substantially the entire length of the said guide-way; a plug-rod-supporting carriage supported on and movable along the major portion of the length of lthe guide-way of the said frame-structure, said carriage being dimensioned to extend along a relatively-short portion of the said plug-rod and also being formed to provide a passage for the plug-rod; a bearing-member arranged in the passage over the plug-rod, the inner surface of the bearing-member and the lower wall-section of the passage being of arcuate shape, for engaging and supportingthe plug-rod against transverse deflections; and reversible power-drivenv operating means connected to the said carriage and operable to move the same along the said major portion of the guide-way of the said framestructure to support the plug-rod by the engagement in the said carriage of any of several relatively-short portions thereof aggregating the length of the plug-rod extending over the said `major portion of the guide-Way traveled by the carriage.

' 3. A draw-bench structure including in combination: a frame-structure carrying a die-head at one end thereof and provided with a carriage guide-way extending substantially throughout the length of the frame-structure; a reciprocable plug-rod movable axially and parallel to the guide-way of the said frame structure; means for axially moving the' said plug-rod in opposite directions over substantially the entire length of the said guide-way; a plug-rod-supporting carriage supported on and movable along the major portion of the length of the guide-way of the said frame-structure, said carriage being dimensioned to extend along a relatively-short portion of the said plug-rod and also being formed to provide a passage for the plug-rod; a bearingmcmber arranged in the passage over the plugrod, the inner surface of the bearing-member and the lower wall-section of the passage being of arcuate shape, for engaging and supporting the plug-rod against transverse deflections; shockabsorbing means connecting the bearing-member to the carriage.; and reversible power-driven operating-means connected to said carriage and operable to move the same along the said major portion of the guide-way of the said framestructure to support the plug-rod by the engagement in the said carriage of any of several relatively-short portions thereof aggregating the length of the plug-rod extending over the said major portion of the guideway traveled by the carriage.

4. A draw-bench structure including in combination: a frame-structure carrying a die-head at one end thereof and provided with a carriage guide-way extending substantially throughout the length of the frame-structure; a reciprocable plug-rod movable axially and parallel to the guide-way of said frame-structure; means for axially moving the said plug-rod in opposite directions over substantially the entire length of the guide-way; a plug-rod-supporting carriage supported on and movable along the guide-way of said frame-structure, said carriage being dimensioned to extend along a relatively-short portion of the said plug-rod and also being formed to provide a passage for the plug-rod; a bearingmember arranged in the passage over the plugrod, said bearing-member and the lower wallsection of said passage supporting the plug-rod against transverse deflections; connections between the carriage and the bearing-member comprising a shock-absorbing spring; and reversible power-driven operating-means connected to the said carriage and operable to move the same along the said major portion of the guide-way of the said frame-structure to support the plugrod by the engagement in the said carriage of any of several relatively-short portions thereof aggregating the length of the plug-rod extending over the said major portion of the guide-way traveled by the carriage.

5. A draw-bench structure including in combination: a frame-structure carrying a die-head bearing-member and the lower wall-section of at one end thereof and provided with a carriage guide-way extending substantially throughout the length of the frame-structure; a reciprocable plug-rod movable axially and parallel to the 1 said passage supporting the plug-rod against transverse deflections; connections between the carriage and the bearing-member comprising a screw-shaft adjustable in the carriage, a springseat carried at one end of said screw-shaft, and a compression-spring seated at one end against the spring-seat carried by the screWshaft, and seated at its opposite end on said bearing-member; and reversible power-driven operating-means connected to said carriage and operable to move the saine along the said major portion of the guide-way of said frame-structure to support the plug-rod by the engagement in the said carriage of any of several relatively-short portions thereof aggregating the length of the plug-rod extending over the said major portion of the guideway traveled by the carriage.

6. A draw-bench structure including in combination: a frame-structure carrying a die-head at one end thereof and provided with a carriage guide-way extending substantially throughout the length of the frame-structure; a reciprocable plug-rod movable axially and parallel to the guide-way of said frame-structure; means for axially moving the plug-rod in opposite directions over substantially the entire length of the said guide-way; a plug-rod-supporting carriage supported on and movable along the major portion of the length of said guide-way; said carriage being dimensioned to extend along a relativelyshort portion of the said plug-rod and also being formed to provide a passage for the plug-rod; a bearing-member arranged in the passage over the plug-rod, said bearing-member and the lower wall-section of said passage supporting the plugrod against transverse deflections; connections between the carriage and the bearing-member comprising a shock-absorbing compressionspring and means for adjusting said spring; wheels mounted on the carriage for travel on the carriage guide-Way; and reversible power-driven operating-means connected to the said carriage and operable to cause the carriage to be rolled along the said major portion of the guide- Way of said frame-structure to support the plug-rod by the engagement in the said carriage of any of several relatively-short portions thereof aggregating the length of the plug-rod extending over the said major portion of the guide-way traveled by the carriage.

7. A draw-bench structure including in combination: a frame-structure carrying a die-head at one end thereof and provided with a carriage guide-way extending substantially throughout the length of the frame-structure; a reciprocable plug-rod movable axially and parallel to the guide-way of said frame-structure; means for axially moving the plug-rod in opposite directions over substantially the entire length of the said guide-way; a plug-rod-suppoxtlng carriage supported on and movable along the major portion of the length of the guide-way of said framef structure', the said carriage being dimensioned to extend along' a relatively-short portion of the said plug-rod and being provided with guidemeans through which the said plug-rod extends and which engage with said plug-rod for supporting :the same against transverse deflections; wheels mounted on and at opposite sides of said carriage and supported on longitudinally-extending portions of the guide-way for travel on the carriage guide-way; reversible operating-means connected to said carriage, and operable to cause the carriage to be rolled along the said portion of the guide-way of said frame-structure to support the plug-rod by the engagement in the said carriage of 4any of several relatively-short portions thereof aggregating the length of the plugrod extending over the said major portion of the guide-way traveled by the carriage; and cooperating limit-means for guiding the carriage, said limit-means comprising a side-surface of the wheel-supporting portion of the guide-Way at each side of said frame-structure, and a guideportion provided at each side of the carriage for engagement with said surfaces of the guide-way to prevent transverse movements of the carriage.

8. A draw-bench structure including in combination: a frame-structure carrying a die-head at one end thereof and provided with a carriage guide-Way extending substantially throughoutthe length of the frame-structure; a reciprocable plug-rod movable axially and parallel to the guide-way of said frame-structure; means for axially moving said plug-rod in opposite directions over substantially the entire length of said guide-way; a plug-rod-supporting carriage supported on and movable along the major portion of the length of the guide-Way of said framestructure, the said carriage being dimensioned to extend along a relatively-short portion of the said plug-rod and being provided with guide-means through which said plug-rod extends and which engage with said plug-rod for supporting the same against transverse deflections; wheels mounted on and at opposite sides of the carriage and supported on longitudinally-extending portions of the guide-way for travel on the carriage guide-way; reversible operating-means connected to said carriage and operable to cause the carriage to be rolled along the said major portion of the guide-way of said frame-structure to support the plug-rod by the engagement in the said carriage of any of several relatively-short portions thereof aggregating the length of the plugrod extending over the said major portion of the guide-way traveled by the carriage and cooperating limit-means for guiding the carriage, said cooperating limit-means comprising an undercut formed in and extending longitudinally in the wheel-supporting portion of the guide-way at each side of the frame-structure, and a footpiece provided at each side of the carriage for engaging the undercut of the guide-way to prevent rocking movements of the carriage in the axial direction of said plug-rod.

9. A draw-bench structure including in combination: a frame-structure carrying a die-head at one end thereof and provided with a carriage guide-way extending substantially throughout the length of the frame-structure; a reciprocal plug-rod movable axially and parallel to the guide-way of the frame-structure; means for axially moving said plug-rod in opposite directions over substantially the entire length of the said guide-way; a plug-ro'd-supporting carriage supported on and movable along the major portion of the length of the guide-way of said framestructure, the said carriage being dlmensioned to extend along a relatively-short portion of the said plug-rod and being provided with guidenieans through which said plug-rod extends and which engage with said plug-rod for supporting the same against transverse deflections; wheels mounted on and at opposite sides of the carriage and supported on opposite longitudinally-extending portions of the guide-Way for travel on the carriage guide-way; reversible operating-means connected to said carriage and operable to cause the carriage to be rolled along the said major portion of the guide-way of said frame-structure to support the plug-rod by the engagement in the said carriage of any of several relativelyshort portions thereof aggregating the length of the plug-rod extending over the said major portion of the guide-way traveled by the carriage; and cooperating limit-means for guiding the carriage, comprising a laterally-facing surface and a downwardly-facing surface formed in and extending longitudinally of the wheel-supporting portion of the guide-way at each side of the said frame-structure, a guide-bar and a foot-piece provided at each side of the carriage for engaging the said laterally-facing surface and the said downwardly-facing surface respectively of the wheel-supporting portion of the said guide-way at each side of the frame-structure, whereby lateral displacement and rocking movements of the carriage are avoided.

l0. A draw-bench structure including in cornbination: a frame-structure carrying a die-head at one end thereof and provided with a carriage guide-way extending substantially throughout the length of the frame-structure; a reciprocable plug-rod movable axially and parallel to the guide-way of said frame-structure; means for axially moving the plug-rod in opposite directions over substantially the entire length of the said guide-way; a plug-rod-supporting carriage supported on and movable along the major portion of the length of the guide-way of said framestructure, said carriage being dmensioned to extend along a relatively-short portion of the said plug-rod and also being formed to provide a passage for said plug-rod; a bearing-member arranged in the passage over the said plug-rod, said bearing-member and the lower wall-section of said passage supporting the plug-rod against transverse deflections; connections between the carriage and said bearing-member, said connections including a shock-absorbing spring; wheels mounted on the said carriage and supported on opposite longitudinally-extending portions of the guide-way for travel on the carriage guide-way; reversible power-driven operating-means connected to said carriage and operable to cause the carriage to be rolled along the said major portion of the guide-way of said frame-structure to support the plug-rod by the engagement in the said carriage of any of several relatively-short portions thereof aggregating the length of the plugrod extending over the said major portion of the guide-way traveled by the carriage; and cooperating limit-means for guiding the carriage, comprising a pair of opposed side-surfaces, and an under-cut formed in and extending longitudinally in the wheel-supporting portion of the guide-Way at each side of said frame-structure, a guide-bar and a foot-piece provided at each side of the carriage for engaging one of said sidesurfaces and one of said under-cuts respectively of the wheel-supporting portion of the guide-Way at each side of the frame-structure, whereby lateral movements and rocking movements in the axial direction of the said plug-rod, are avoided.

11. A draw-bench structure including in combination: A frame-structure carrying a die-head at one end thereof provided with a carriage guide-- way extending substantially throughout the length of the frame-structure; a reciprocable plug-rod movable axially and parallel to the guide-way of said frame-structure; means for axially moving said plug-rod in opposite directions over substantially the entire length of the said guide-way; a plug-rod-supporting carriage supported on and movable along the major portion of the length of the guide-way of said frame- -structure, the said carriage being dimensioned to extend along a relatively-short portion of the said plug-rod and being provided with guidemeans through which said plug-rod extends and which engage with the said plug-rod for supporting the same against transverse deflections; reversible power-driven operating-means connected to the said carriage and operable to move the same along the said major portion of the guideway of the said frame-structure to support the plug-rod by the engagement in the said carriage of any of several relatively-short portions thereof aggregating the length of the plug-rod extending over the said major portion of the guideway traveled by the carriage; and the said operating means being operable in moving the said.

carriage to shift it along substantially the entire rear half of the guide-way and to limit forward movement of the carriage along the front half of the guide-way at an intermediate point thereof at a predetermined distance rearward of the plug end of said plug-rod.

12. A draw-bench structure including in combination: a frame-structure carrying a die-head at one end thereof and provided with a carriage guide-way extending substantially throughout the length of the frame-structure; a reciprocable plug-rod movable axially and parallel to the guide-way of the said frame-structure; means for axially moving the said plug-rod in opposite directions over substantially the entire length of the said guide-Way; a plug-rod-supporting carriage supported on and movable along the major portion of the length of the guide-way of the said frame-structure, the said carriage being dimensioned to extend along a relatively-short portion of the said plug-rod and being provided with guide-means through which the said plug-rod extends and which engage with the said plugrod for supporting the same against transverse deflections; and reversible operating-means for the said carriage comprising a power-responsive member, and connections between said member and the carriage comprising motion-multiplying mechanism for causing the carriage to move along the major portion of the length of said guide-way of the frame-structure to support the plug-rod by the engagement in the said carriage of any of several relatively-short portions thereof aggregating the length of the plug-rod extending over the said major portion of the guide-Way traveled by the carriage.

13. A draw-bench structure including in combination: a frame-structure carrying a die-head at one end thereof and provided with a carriage guide-way extending substantially throughout the length of the frame-structure; a reciprocable guide-way of the said frame-structure; means for axially moving the said plug-rod in opposite directions over substantially the entire length of the said guide-way; a plug-rod supporting carriage supported on and movable along the major portion of the length of the guide-way of the said frame-structure, the said carriage being dimensioned to extend along a relatively-short portion of the said plugrod and being provided With guide-means through vwhich the said plug-rod extends and which engage with the said plug-rod for supporting the same against transverse deections; and reversible operating-means for1 the carriage comprising an hydraulic cylinder, means for admitting water under pressure to, and discharging water from, the cylinder alternately at opposite ends thereof, a double-acting piston in the cylinder, a piston-rod connected to said cylinder, and connections between said pistonrod and said carriage including a speed-multiplying gear-train, a sprocket-wheel, and a chain passing about and engaged by yteeth of the sprocket-wheel, the opposite ends of the chain being connected to the said carriage for moving the same along the said major portion of the said guide-way of the frame-structure to support the plug-rod by the engagement in the said carriage of any of several relatively-short portions thereof aggregating the length of the plug-rod extending over the said major portion of the guide-way traveled by the carriage.

14. A draw-bench structure including in combination: a vframe-structure provided with; a,

carriage guide-way; a reciprocable plug-rod; reversible operating-means for reciprocating the said plug-rod including an axially-movable hydraulic cylinder, a double-acting piston located in the said cylinder and operatively connected to 40 the said plug-rod, and adjusting-means for adjusting the said cylinder lengthwise of itself to vary the extended position oi.' the said plug-rod;

a plug-rod supporting-carriage movable along the guide-way of the said frame-structure and provided with guide-means supporting the said plug-rod against transverse deections; and reversible operating-means for the said carriage for moving the same along the guide-way of the said frame-structure into various positions of adjustment axially along the length of the said plug-rod.

15. A draw-bench structure including in com bination: a frame-structure provided with a carriage guide-way; a reciprocable plug-rod; a reversible operating-means for reciprocating the plug-rod; a plug-rod-supporting carriage movable along the guide-Way of the said framestructure and provided with guide-means through which the said plug-rod extends and which engage with the said plug-rod for supporting the same against transverse deections; and. re-

versible operating-means for the carriage; thev reversible operating-means for the plug-rod, and the reversible operating-means for the carriage each comprising an hydraulic cylinder, means individual to each cylinder for admitting water under pressure to, and discharging water from the cylinders alternately at opposite ends of each of said cylinders; a double-acting piston in each of said cylinders, means connecting the piston in one of said cylinders with the 'plug-rod for causing reciprocable, axial Vmovements of the plug-rod, parallel to said guide-way, said firstnamed cylinder being bodily adjustable in axial direction to adjust the position of'said plug-rod: a piston-'rod connected to the piston in the second cylinder, and connections between said plston-rod and said carriage for causing the carriage to move along the guide-way of said framestructure into various positions of adjustment axially along. the length of the said plug-rod.

MICHAEL J. DEMPSEY. FREDERICK W. REI-IER. 

